Customizable, liquid filled sealed glass jewelry and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A method for making customizable liquid-filled glass jewelry wherein a hollow glass vessel is blown or otherwise manufactured and then partially filled with small diamonds, gems, stones, pieces of metal, etc. Thereafter, the hollow glass vessel is completely filled with a semi-viscous liquid having a specific index of refraction. Once filled with liquid, a sealing cap is attached to the glass vessel, the cap typically being decorative. With a properly selected index of refraction, the vessel appears to be solid glass with the small diamonds, etc. being suspended therein. Colorized diamonds produced by irradiation produce particularly attractive results. A process for creating custom molds for blowing custom glass vessels is described. Molds are created using instructions derived from images generated by 3-D solid rendering software to direct a numerically controlled milling machine or other such machine tool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to glass jewelry and, more particularly,to a customizable ornamental glass jewelry article including colorenhanced gems in a liquid and a method for manufacturing same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing of glass artifacts dates back at least as far as theRoman Empire. Artisans have long been challenged to find new ways tocreate both functional and ornamental articles from glass. Glass blowingas a means to produce these articles has been practiced nearly since thediscovery of glass itself. In more modern times, one of the desirableand valuable aspects of hand-blown glass articles resides in the unique,one-of-a-kind nature of the pieces that individually made articlespossess. In today's age of mass production, articles that possess thequality of artisanship and uniqueness command a well deserved premium.

Mass production of glass articles was enabled by the development ofmold-blowing techniques, where the glass article is inflated into a moldhaving a pre-defined design, providing the ability to reproduce multiplecopies of a specific glass article design. While this method providesfor improvements in the economy of scale, and the ability to define arepeatable process for the production of glass articles, it also removesthe spontaneous artistic flair and one-of-a kind artisanship describedabove.

Another class of highly ornamental and valuable objects includesvaluable stones, gems, and diamonds, which are desired both for theirrelative rarity in nature, their inherent beauty, and the skill andcraftsmanship required by an artisan in the jewelry trade to cut,polish, or otherwise prepare them for maximum beauty and luster, andmount them in an appropriate setting. In some cases, it can be desirableto enhance the color of diamonds or gems to increase their inherentvalue, and to enhance their desirability for a specific setting orpurpose. Some processes that have been used to enhance the color ofdiamonds included irradiation by protons and deuterons in a cyclotron,gamma ray bombardment from exposure to cobalt-60, neutron bombardmentfrom exposure to nuclear (i.e., “atomic”) piles, and electronbombardment using Van de Graff generators. Subsequent heating toelevated temperatures may also be performed to further alter the color,as desired. Methods of coating the diamonds, stones, or gems may also beemployed to produce additional colors that the irradiation methods donot produce.

Still another class of material suitable for inclusion in such customliquid-filled glass jewelry is small pieces of metal. Such metal mayincluded small stamped, photo etched, laser cut, or otherwise processedthin metal sheet in the form of decorative designs or words, forexample, names.

The relatively recent increase in value of precious metals has created agrowing market for the purchasing and recycling of jewelry and otherprecious metal items. While the precious metal content is often thefocus of this market, diamonds, gems, stones, and smaller precious gemparticles are also byproducts of the recycling process. Depending ontheir size and quality, these precious gems may be retained and mountedin a new setting. The difficulty in reusing (e.g., resetting) small gemsarises in matching cut, matching quality/color, and/or matching sizes.However, the recycling process described tends to produce an excess,particularly, of the smaller sizes that are used to accentuate thefeatured gems in many precious metal settings. It would be advantageousto develop a cost effective way to use these gems, as well as enhancethe desirability and value of larger stones, diamonds, and gems thathave been acquired or recycled.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

The existing prior art has provided a composite gem and jewel,describing a double-globular glass housing that contains gem fracturefragments and a viscous fluid such as glycerin, for use as a pendantjewel, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,850,190 for COMPOSITE GEM ANDJEWEL issued Mar. 22, 1932 to Horace W. Welch. The double-globular glasshousing provides a means to attach a clasp on which to hang or mount theglass housing.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,912,602 for FLOATING OPAL AND THE LIKE issued Jun. 6,1933 to Samuel Stonburg combines a transparent hollow body containings-tetrabromoethane or a mixture of s-tetrabromoethane and carbontetrachloride of sufficient specific gravity to hold a gem insuspension, such liquid being not transparent, but rather somewhattranslucent to prevent otherwise clear definition of the outline of thegem particles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,383 for LIQUID FILLED SEALED GLASS ORNAMENT ANDMETHOD issued Mar. 6, 1979 to Wolfgang R. Eberhart provides for a glassreceptacle filled with a viscous fluid such as glycerin, containingflaked metals or minerals. It discloses a process to grind a specificconical shaped outline at the top of the receptacle, and bonding a capwith a resin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,888 for JEWELRY STORING AND DISPLAYING NATURALPLACER GOLD issued Jun. 24, 1980 to Ann L. Erdman et al. discloses ahand-blown vial designed to hold flakes or nuggets of placer gold.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,375 for ORNAMENTAL ARTICLE issued Apr. 9, 1991 toLouis H. Mangan discloses an ornamental article comprising a transparenthousing, totally sealed and holding particulate material and a liquidunder sufficient vacuum to cause the liquid to boil under ambientconditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,145 for EYEGLASSES WITH LIQUID FILLED LENSES issuedMay 7, 1991 to Theodore P. Croll discloses eyeglasses with ports thatallow easy filling and refilling of liquid between eyeglass andintroduction of floating and non-floating decorative materials.

None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly, orin any combination are seen to teach or suggest the novel ornamentalglass jewelry article, or the method of manufacturing the article of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an article ofjewelry that utilizes diamonds, diamond chips, or other stones, gems orfragments, or small pieces of other materials in a cost effective methodfor the shape, size, or quality of the diamonds, gems, or stonesobtained. The diamonds, gems, or stones may be obtained from therecovery of recycled precious metal jewelry, but are not limited to thatmethod. The invention provides a method to use these items that does notrequire investing the labor and materials to mount them in a precious orsemi-precious metal setting.

The present invention provides an item of jewelry, and method ofproducing the item of jewelry, comprising a glass article with aninterior cavity with an opening at one end. The interior cavity issubsequently partially filled with preferably diamonds, or diamondpieces that have been processed to enhance their color and/or contrast.Likewise, other stones, gems or stone or gem fragments, metal pieces, ora combination thereof may be substituted for diamonds. The glass articleis typically produced in a mold, created by Computer NumericallyControlled (CNC) milling machine or similar machine tool in graphitemold blank. Mold blanks from materials other than graphite may besubstituted. The CNC milling machine is driven by a solid modelgenerated from SolidWorks™ or a similar type 3D modeling softwareprogram. When desirable, the glass article can be customized by alteringthe form of the glass after its removal from the mold, while the glassis still malleable. Such customization typically results in aone-of-a-kind jewelry piece.

While molding with possible post-molding shaping while the object isstill hot enough to be malleable have already been discussed. However,there are other ways in which unique objects may be formed from glass.For example, a tool resembling a pair of so-called needle nose pliersmay be used to form glass objects having a standard sized and shapedtop. While standard top portions allow fitting standard caps to theobject. However, great latitude is given to the glass artist in forminga lower section (i.e., the region beyond the standard top). This allowscreation of truly one-of-a-kind glass objects.

While clear glass is generally used, colored glass may also be used toenhance a particular effect.

Processing methods used to enhance color of diamonds or diamond chipsgenerally include irradiation or coating methods. Irradiation ofdiamonds can be performed using a number of methods that impart variouscolors or hues to the diamonds. These methods include irradiationprocesses such as proton and deuteron bombardment using a cyclotron,gamma ray bombardment with exposure to cobalt-60, neutron bombardment byneutrons from a nuclear reactor (i.e., so called “atomic” or nuclearpiles), and electron bombardment using a Van de Graff generator.Additionally, the diamonds can be annealed at an elevated temperature toobtain additional color variations. Using these methods, color hues inthe yellow, red, orange, green, and blue ranges can be obtained.

It is also known to coat diamonds or other gems to produce still othercolors.

It will be recognized that processes for coloring diamonds or othergemstones are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art.Any suitable coloring process may be used. The actual coloring processitself forms no part of the present invention.

The interior cavity is further filled with a semi-viscous fluid withrefractive properties close to that of glass, such that no air remainsin the glass piece so that the jewelry gives the appearance of a solidglass piece, with color enhanced diamonds, diamond pieces, stones, orgems floating and moving within. The glass article is then capped with ametal or other suitable material, attached using a resin or othersuitable adhesive to adhere the cap to the outside surface of the glassarticle. The cap can include functional elements that allow forattaching or mounting the item of jewelry to a chain or hook or anymounting method desired.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an ornamentalliquid-filled glass jewelry article having flakes, particles, or piecesof solid material suspended in a liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cost effective methodof using diamonds, diamond pieces, stones, and gems that may be ofmarginal value for other jewelry applications.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a method toenhance the color of diamonds, diamond chips, stones, gems, and the liketo create interest in the ornamental glass jewelry article.

It is yet another object of the invention to combine glass of acontrolled refractive index with a liquid with a comparable refractiveindex with diamonds colored by irradiation to optimize color and colorintensity in the liquid-filled glass jewelry piece.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for themanufacturing of the ornamental glass jewelry article.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method to customshape the glass portion of the ornamental glass jewelry article.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method to formthe glass portion from clear or colored glass.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a tool forblowing objects having a standard top region but a truly free formbottom section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary article ofliquid-filled glass jewelry in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a three-dimensional rendering ofthe glass body of the exemplary jewelry article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of blank mold stock suitable for creatingmolds for producing glass articles by glass blowing;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the blank mold stock of FIG. 3after it has been machined for blowing a glass article, for example, theglass portion of the jewelry article of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c are a top plan, side elevational, and topperspective schematic views, respectively, of a mold clamping andaligning tool for holding the mold halves of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 d is a top plan view of the mold clamping and aligning tool ofFIG. 5 a with two mold halves aligned and clamped in place for glassblowing;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective drawing of the glass article prior tofilling with diamonds, gems, or stones or the like;

FIG. 7 a is a top, perspective, schematic view of a tool for blowinghollow glass objects having a uniform, standard top region;

FIG. 7 b is a front perspective view of a free-form hollow glass objectformed using the tool of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective drawing of the glass article of FIG. 6after partially filling with diamonds, gems, or stones that have beenprocessed to enhance their color, contrast, and appearance, prior toadding liquid to fill the interior cavity; and

FIG. 9 is a front perspective drawing of the glass article of FIG. 8containing diamonds, gems, or stones and subsequently with liquid addedto completely fill the interior cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides items of jewelry or similar decorativearticles, each having a liquid-filled glass container. The glasscontainer has small pieces of material suspended in the liquid that issealed within the glass container.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective schematic viewof an exemplary article of liquid-filled glass jewelry in accordancewith the invention, generally at reference number 100.

Jewelry object 100 has a glass body 102. Glass body 102 is typicallyhollow and is constructed as discussed in detail hereinbelow. Glass body102 also typically has a decorative outside profile 120. Said decorativeoutside profile 120 may assume a shape representing a recognizableobject, such as a handbag, a globe, or alternatively may assume anamorphous shape without reference to another object.

A hollow interior cavity 104 formed within glass body 102 typically iscompletely filled with a liquid 106. Liquid is typically transparent andhas an index of refraction chosen to optically cooperate with the indexof refraction of the glass body 102. In addition, the viscosity of theliquid controls how the suspended diamonds or other materials 108physically behave in the liquid. Glycerin is one suitable liquid for usewithin hollow interior cavity 104 of glass body 102. The viscosity ofGlycerin makes the diamonds or other materials 108 fall at a rate thatis aesthetically pleasing when the object is inverted and then righted.If, for example, water or baby oil were used, each having a similarrefractive index, the diamonds 108 would almost instantaneously sink tothe bottom, whereas with the glycerin the diamonds slowly flip and turnas they make their way to the bottom of the glass allowing the wearer toadmire the stones as they sink. Glycerin also provides a sufficientboundary layer on the interior surface of hollow glass body 102 toprotect it from being scratched by the diamonds.

While indices of refraction of glass body 102 and liquid 106,respectively, are typically chosen to be relatively close to oneanother, it will be recognized by those of skill in the optical artsthat mismatching the respective indices of refraction may create desiredoptical effects. Consequently, the invention is not considered limitedto a particular relationship between these indices of refraction.Rather, the invention is intended to include any relationship of indicesof refraction between glass bodies 102 and liquids 106.

Pieces of solids 108 are placed into interior cavity 104 of glass body102. Solids may be chosen from gemstones, especially colorized diamondsor diamond chips. Solid materials suitable for use in jewelry object 100are discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

A bottom region of glass body 102 is typically sealed. In particular,glass body 102 is typically formed with a sealed, contiguous bottom 110.

A top region 112 is sealed by a cap 114. In the example of jewelryobject 100, a cap 114 is configured to resemble the top of a purse orhandbag. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that cap 114may take on a vast number of different decorative appearances as long ascap 114 acts to seal glass body 102 thereby retaining liquid 106 andsolid material 108 within hollow interior cavity 104 thereof.Consequently, the invention is intended to include any variant of cap114 suitable for sealing a top region 112 of glass body 102 as well asthe example chosen for purposes of disclosure.

Cap 114 is attached to top 112 of glass body 102 with any knownmaterial, not shown, or technology. Typically, cap 114 is attached toglass body 102 with adhesive, not shown, that bonds the cap 114 securelyto glass body 102 as well as forms a liquid-tight connectiontherebetween. Typical cements or bonding agents include clear epoxieswith short cure times, so-called “instant” adhesives, and UV curingadhesives.

Alternately, it may be possible to ultrasonically weld or otherwise fusecap 114 to top 112 of glass body 102. Techniques for so doing arebelieved to be known to those of skill in the art and, consequently,such techniques are neither further disclosed nor discussed herein. Thecap 114 serves the multiple purposes of augmenting the appeal of thecompleted jewelry object 100, sealing the opening 140 (FIG. 6) so thatthe liquid cannot leak out and air cannot leak in, and providing ameans, such as a loop 116 or hook to attach the article of jewelry toanother item, for example, a mount, or a chain, neither shown.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a three-dimensionalrendering of the glass body 102 of an exemplary jewelry article 100 inaccordance with the invention, generally at reference number 120.Rendering 120 is created by three-dimensional modeling software andcontains only the general decorative outside profile of the articlerequired for the subsequent manufacturing of a glass blowing mold. Itwill be recognized that additional surface decorative raised detailcould be added.

Solid modeling software is believed to be well known to those of skillin the art and, consequently, such software is not further discussedherein. For purposes of disclosure SolidWorks®, a three-dimensional CADprogram provided by Dassault Systémes SolidWorks Corp. of Waltham, Mass.has been found suitable for use. It will be recognized by those of skillin the art that other suitable three-dimensional CAD software may existand any other suitable software may be used to create athree-dimensional rendering 120 of glass body 102 or other solidcomponents of jewelry item 100.

Another product Mastercam® by CMC Software of Tolland, Conn. USA may beused to create instructions, not shown, from the three-dimensionalrendering 120. These instructions subsequently direct the movements of anumerically controlled milling machine or another suitable machine toolfor producing a mold to reproduce the glass body 102. The procedures forcreating instructions for numerically controlled machine tools isbelieved to be known to those of skill in the art and are not furtherdiscussed herein.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of blankinterchangeable mold stock blocks 310 used to create a first portion ofa glass blowing mold 320 a. A cooperative second portion of a glassblowing mold 320 b (FIG. 5 d) is also produced in a similar manner. Inthe embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, mold stock blocks 310are made from graphite. However, it will be recognized that mold stockblock 310 may be made from other suitable materials known in themold-making and glass manufacturing industries. A mold 320 a, 320 bformed from mold stock blocks 310 may be used to produce one or moreunique glass articles therefrom. A mold for producing a few glassobjects may, of course, be different than a production mold designed toform objects in substantially larger numbers. As is well known to thoseof skill in the mold making and/or glass blowing arts, each mold musthave two mold halves.

Mold stock block 310 has a face 312 for receiving an engraved ormachined mold pattern 322 a (FIG. 4) therein.

An alignment hole 316 is provided in a face 312 for aligning faces 312of respective mold halves 320 a, 320 b in alignment with one another.

Shoulders 314 a, 314 b and a hole 318 are provided for aligning andsecuring mold halves 320 a, 320 b in a mold clamping and aligning tool350 (FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c) as described in detail hereinbelow.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of firstof a pair of mold halves 320 a, 320 b (only one shown) formed from blankmold stock blocks 310 after a design 322 a (e.g., profile 120) has beenengraved or machined into face 312 thereof to form a mold cavity.Typically, the mold cavity 320 a is created by a numerically controlledCNC milling machine, not shown and forming no part of the presentinvention, using instructions generated by suitable software, not shown,to translate a three-dimensional CAD model into such instructions foruse by the CNC milling machine.

As previously stated, each mold needs two halves. A second mold half 320b, not shown in FIG. 4, is subsequently produced. However, second moldcavity 322 b may be either symmetrical (i.e., a mirror image) to firstmold cavity 322 a or may be asymmetrical (i.e., contain patterndifferences when compared to design of mold cavity 322 a in first moldhalf 320 a thereto.

Note that an alignment hole 316 is provided for aligning first mold half320 a with a corresponding second mold half 320 b, not shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now also to FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, and 5 b, there are shown top plan,side elevational, and side perspective views, respectively, of a moldclamping and aligning tool 350. Tool 350 is adapted to receive andretain pairs of interchangeable mold halves (e.g., mold halves 320 a,320 b) so that hollow glass bodies (e.g., glass bodies 102) may be blownwithin.

Tool 350 has a jaw region 352 having a pair of securing clips 354 a, 354b adapted to slidably receive and retain respective ones of mold halves320 a, 320 b in a face 312 to face 312 alignments. Shoulders 314 a, 314b are retained under edges 356 a and 356 b of securing clips 354 a, 354b, respectively.

Referring now also to FIG. 5 d, there is shown the jaw region 352 oftool 350 of FIG. 5 a with mold halves 320 a, 320 b in place with a moldformed therefrom ready to receive molten glass in a mold cavity formedfrom individual mold cavities 322 a, 322 b completely defining the shapeof a hollow glass structure to be blown within cavity formed by cavities322 a and 322 b. An opening 524 between mold halves 320 a, 320 b allowsinsertion of a blowpipe, not shown, having a glob of molten glass, notshown, on a distal end thereof into the mold cavity. Blowpipes andtechniques for using them are believed to be well known to those ofskill in the glass blowing art. Consequently, blowpipes and glassblowing is not further discussed herein.

Once a glass body 102 within mold halves 320 a, 320 b has cooledsufficiently, jaws of clamping and alignment tool 350 may be separatedallowing mold halves 320 a, 320 b to also be separated and the partiallycooled glass body 102 to be withdrawn. Once glass body 102 is ejected, adiamond blade, or similar tool, neither shown, may be used to cut glassbody 102 off the blowpipe. Once glass body 102 is cut off the blowpipe,a lapping wheel or other similar tool, neither shown, may be used tosmooth the cut edge. It will be recognized that because glass may bereheated to a malleable state, the glass body 102 may be cut off theblowpipe at a later time if desired.

At this point, the still malleable glass may be additionally worked toimpart individual variations into the glass of each individual glassbody 102. It will be recognized that because glass may be reheated to amalleable state, the additional working may be performed at a later timeif desired.

While heretofore only molded glass bodies 102 have been discussed.Referring now to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, there are shown a tool 400 forblowing free form hollow glass bodies 402, and a free-form glass body402 formed with tool 400, respectively. Tool 400 is typicallymanufactured from a standard pair of needle nose pliers. Brass is chosento avoid heated glass, not shown, from sticking to or otherwiseadversely interacting with tool 400. Tool 400 has a circular opening 404formed in the jaw region, not specifically identified, opening 404having a predetermined diameter 406. To make tool 400, a predeterminedshape may be milled into standard needle nose pliers using a CNC millingmachine or a similar machine tool. Opening 404 may be separated byopening the handles, not specifically identified, of tool 400. Diameter406 corresponds to a desired diameter of a final blown glass object 404allowing a standard cap 114 to be attached to an upper portion 408thereof. By blowing glass object 402 or the like through opening 404allows great artistic latitude in forming the remainder (i.e., the lowerportion of the body) of glass object 402. As glass object 402 is hollowand has a standard upper portion for attaching a cap 114 as describedelsewhere herein. Hollow glass object 402 is a single example chosen forpurposes of disclosure. It will be recognized by those of skill in theart that a virtually unlimited number of freeform hollow glass objectmay readily be formed using tool 400. This is one way of creatingone-of-a-kind jewelry objects 100.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown front perspective view ofan exemplary glass body 102. Glass body 102 has a decorative outsideprofile 120, a hollow interior cavity 104, and an opening 140 at anupper end. Note that upper end 140 has been severed from the blowpipeand worked to have a smooth upper edge to facilitate attaching a cap asdiscussed hereinbelow.

While glass body is typically formed from clear glass, it will berecognized that in alternate embodiments, colored glass may be used toachieve a desired overall effect in jewelry object 100. Consequently,the invention is not considered limited to any particular color glass.

Referring now also to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view of glassbody 102 after the pieces of solid material 108 have been placed in thehollow interior cavity 104 through the opening 140. The pieces of solidmay include color enhanced diamonds or diamond pieces, stones, gems,shaped metal pieces, or any other items desired. Other artifacts may beplaced in the interior cavity to personalize the jewelry, including butnot limited to cut or formed metal pieces shaped to represent an objectof interest. These could be pieces cut to represent names, words, orobjects, such as charms or figures, or any other desirablerepresentation. Many methods to enhance the color of diamonds or diamondchips are known in the industry, including irradiation by protons anddeuterons in a cyclotron, gamma ray bombardment from exposure tocobalt-60, neutron bombardment from exposure to nuclear piles, andelectron bombardment using Van de Graff generators. Subsequent heatingto elevated temperatures may also be performed to further alter thecolor, as desired. Additionally, methods of coating the diamonds,stones, or gems, including vacuum deposition processes such as chemicalvapor deposition (CVD), sputtering, or evaporation, may also be employedto produce additional colors that the irradiation methods do notproduce. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that othersuitable methods to enhance the color of diamonds, diamond chips,stones, gems, or other pieces of solid 108 may be used.

Referring now also to FIG. 9, there is shown the glass body 102 afterboth pieces of solid material 108 and a liquid 106 been placed in thehollow interior cavity 104 such that the interior cavity is filledcompletely up to the opening 140. The filled glass body 102 is now readyto receive a cap 114 (FIG. 1) previously described. Liquid 106 istypically transparent and chosen to optically cooperate with the indexof refraction of the glass body 102 to give the appearance of solidglass, but may alternatively be translucent, or colored to cooperatewith or accent the pieces of solid 108. Liquid 106 may be poured intosaid glass body 102, or deposited using an eye dropper or syringe tofill said glass body 102 to the opening 140, or using any techniqueknown in the industry to transfer fluid to the interior cavity 104. Thejewelry object 100 is completed by attaching a cap 114 (FIG. 1) to glassbody 102 as previously described.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for fabricating a customizable articleof liquid filled glass jewelry, the steps comprising: a) providing ahollow glass body having an external decorative shape, a hollow interiorcavity, a closed bottom, and an upper opening disposed away from saidclosed bottom and communicative with said hollow interior cavity; b)placing at least one piece of solid material into said hollow interiorcavity through said upper opening, thereby partially filling said hollowinterior cavity; c) after said placing step (b), filling all remainingspace in said hollow interior cavity with a semi-viscous liquid; d)after said filling step (c) sealing said upper opening with a cappermanently affixed to said hollow glass body.
 2. The method forfabricating a customizable article of liquid filled glass jewelry asrecited in claim 1, wherein said providing step (a) comprises thesub-step: i) blowing partially melted glass in a mold thereby formingsaid hollow glass body.
 3. The method for fabricating a customizablearticle of liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim 2, whereinsaid providing step (a) further comprises the sub-steps: ii) prior tosaid blowing sub-step (i), creating a mold having a cavity having ashape representative of said external decorative shape.
 4. The methodfor fabricating a customizable article of liquid filled glass jewelry asrecited in claim 3, wherein said creating sub-step (ii) comprises thesub-steps: iii} using solid modeling software to create a solid model ofsaid hollow glass body having said external decorative shape; iv)creating instructions for directing a numerically controlled machinetool for machining a mold cavity from said solid model; and v) machiningsaid mold cavity using said numerically controlled machine toolcontrolled by said instructions.
 5. The method for fabricating acustomizable article of liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim2, the sub-step further comprising: ii) after said blowing sub-step (i),while said blown hollow glass body is malleable, mechanically alteringan appearance of said blown hollow glass body.
 6. The method forfabricating a customizable article of liquid filled glass jewelry asrecited in claim 1, wherein said filling step (c) comprises filling allremaining space in said hollow interior cavity with a semi-viscousliquid having an index of refraction having a desired relationship to anindex of refraction of said glass body.
 7. The method for fabricating acustomizable article of liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim6, wherein said filling step (c) comprises filling all remaining spacein said hollow interior cavity with a semi-viscous liquid having anindex of refraction substantially equal to an index of refraction ofsaid glass body.
 8. The method for fabricating a customizable article ofliquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim 1, wherein said sealingsaid opening step (d) comprises sealing a cap to said hollow glass bodyusing at least one of the processes selected from the group: cementing,swaging, and welding.
 9. The method for fabricating a customizablearticle of liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid sealing said opening step (d) comprises attaching a cap made ofmetal or other suitable material to the outside surface of said hollowglass body adjacent said upper opening such that said cap completelyseals said upper opening.
 10. The method for fabricating a customizablearticle of liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid placing step (b) comprises placing at least one piece of solidmaterial selected from the group comprising: diamonds, diamond chips,colorized diamonds, colorized diamond chips, semi-precious stones,pieces of semi-precious stones, gems, gem fragments, metal and smallpieces of other materials.
 11. A liquid-filled glass article of jewelryor the like, comprising: a) a hollow glass body having a closed bottomand an open top, said hollow glass body having a predetermined exteriorornamental shape; b) a plurality of small pieces of solid matter placedinto an interior space of said hollow glass body; c) a liquid completelyfilling any remaining space within said interior space; and d) anornamental cap fixedly applied to said hollow glass body adjacent saidopen top thereby completely sealing said liquid and said plurality ofsmall pieces of solid matter within said interior space.
 12. Theliquid-filled glass article of jewelry or the like as recited in claim11, wherein said hollow glass body is a blown glass hollow glass body.13. The liquid-filled glass article of jewelry or the like as recited inclaim 12, wherein said blown hollow glass body is blown in a two-partcustomized mold.
 14. The method for fabricating a customizable articleof liquid filled glass jewelry as recited in claim 5, wherein saidmechanically altering sub-step (ii) is performed at at least one of thetimes selected from the group: when said glass is malleable at the timeof blowing, and when glass is reheated to a malleable state.
 15. Themethod for fabricating a customizable article of liquid filled glassjewelry as recited in claim 1, wherein said providing step (a)comprising a hollow glass body formed from glass having a color chosenfrom the group: clear glass, and colored glass.